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Drivers Ragan, Almirola take time to help

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LONG POND - Aric Almirola and David Ragan found time to assist a noteworthy cause Saturday afternoon at Pocono Raceway.

The NASCAR Foundation and the USO teamed up as part of the NASCAR: An American Salute initiative to create packages for children of active military members.

Both drivers and Miss Sprint Cup were on hand to help prepare more than 1,200 "With You All the Way Kits." The kits will be given to children who have had to deal with issues specific to growing up in a military family.

"It's great that we have the cooperation of the racetrack and some of the race fans here to be able to make these care packages," said Ragan, who will start 28th in today's Party in the Poconos 400. "It's the least we can do to give back and let everyone know that we're thinking about them."

Almirola, who will be making his third Pocono start in a Sprint Cup car from the 12th position, was also more than happy to provide assistance.

"The greatest thing about our sport is that the industry collectively gets together to give back in any way that we can," he said. "Everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports believes in the USO Program, so it's always good to come out and give back to military families."

Facing adversity

Two Richard Childress Racing teams have had to deal with setbacks this weekend.

Car chief Chad Haney has assumed Martin's role for the time being, and the No. 29 team is preparing to possibly compete today without Martin.

Mike Dillon, vice president for competition at RCR, said that team strategy would likely be a group effort should that be case.

"If it comes down to the end, and there's a two-tire call, or gas or something like that, I don't know. It will probably be by committee," Dillon told NASCAR.com.

Meanwhile, teammate Paul Menard and the No. 27 crew were forced to swap transmissions during the opening minutes of the first practice session.

Unlike at most tracks on the circuit, this procedure is allowed at Pocono and both road courses because of shifting.

This means that Menard, who has a streak of five straight top-15 finishes at the 2.5-mile triangular track, can keep his original ninth-place starting position instead of dropping to the rear of the field.

Sponsor announced

It was announced Saturday that ModSpace, one of the country's largest suppliers of modular buildings, has joined forces with Pocono Raceway and will sponsor the ARCA Racing Series race August 2.

Headquartered in Berwyn, ModSpace serves a variety of industries, including construction, education and healthcare.

"Partnering with Pocono Raceway makes perfect sense," said William Mann, who is vice president of business development for ModSpace.

"It's located near many of our sales and service locations and significant customer relationships."

The deal guarantees sponsorship for the 125-mile ARCA event for the next five years. The race will be held Friday along with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying during that time.

Driver change

Starting next week at Michigan, former Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte will share seat time with AJ Allmendinger inside the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota for as many as five races the rest of the season.

"Bobby Labonte wanted to help our team grow and develop when he signed on with our organization at the beginning of the 2011 season," JTG Daugherty racing co-owner, former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Brad Daugherty said. "Bobby has given us his ideas for improving the product, and we believe AJ will do the same."

Allmendinger is driving the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet today at Pocono and will start 18th. Labonte will roll off from the 29th starting position.

"I have raced for Phoenix Racing this year and feel confident I'll be able to provide JTG Daugherty Racing to a good comparison," Allmendinger said.

"I'm thankful for this opportunity to work with the team and Bobby."

Poconotes

With Joe Nemechek in Iowa for Saturday night's Nationwide Series race, David Stremme practiced both his car and Nemechek's car during practice at Pocono on Saturday. â¦ Mark Martin will make his 53rd career start at Pocono Raceway today. He needs only two more to tie Ricky Rudd's all-time record of 55. Martin is still searching for his first Pocono win. He has seven second-place finishes. â¦ Danica Patrick will become only the second female to make a Sprint Cup start at Pocono. Janet Guthrie made three starts from 1978-80â¦ Menard is looking to become the first driver to win a race at Pocono from the ninth starting position.

Contact the writer: tpiccotti@timesshamrock.com

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